Planning a custom module
Table of contents
The basic idea of the structure of studies in Sisu is that when you follow the defined degree structure, you can make changes to the plan within the limits of the structure during studies. This way you can keep the plan updated and know what studies to include in each part of the degree.
However, in case of, for example, earlier completed studies or other justified reasons, you can suggest selections that deviate from the degree structure using the free edit mode. You must always request approval from the personal study plan counsellor for your suggestions. From Moniviestin, you can find video instructions for , for and an in Sisu. (Finnish)
In the free edit mode, changes are made only to studies that are defined as obligatory in the degree programme. Elective courses and study modules are always added to the plan under the same title and can be added through the selection assistant, the search feature or using the Add to the plan function if the studies are already in your course cart or you have completed them already.
Editing the study plan in the Free edit mode
In order to make selections that deviate from the degree programme structure, open the selection assistant of the study module or title (e.g. General Studies) whose studies you want to edit by clicking its name. Click the three-dot button at the top right corner of the selection assistant and select Free edit mode.
In free edit mode, you can add any courses, study modules or completed studies to your plan, as well as remove courses or study modules from the selected section. The selected studies become part of a study module or grouping under an intermediate title. The text Does not fit within the degree structure is visible in the box icons of the added studies. At the same time, all higher-level modules and groupings in your plan become invalid and indicate the text Selections against the rules. Similarly, the whole structure of the study plan is in the invalid state. The red warning banner at the top of the page indicates The structure of the study plan is against the rules. Please correct your selections. The plan returns to a valid state if the custom structure is approved or if any custom choices are removed so that it follows the structure again.
If you create a new study plan for the same education (e.g. bachelor’s and master’s degree education in History), changes made in the free edit mode are not transferred to the new plan. Instead, the module shows that it does not match the custom content you’ve applied for and/or already gotten approved for. If you make the same deviating selections in the new plan, the state of approval also changes to the same as in the original plan (approval requested/selections approved/selections conditionally approved). Changes in other modules are also transferred, for example, in freely selectable study modules for which you plan a custom structure. If you want to keep the custom selections you have made in your plan and transfer them as such to the new study plan for the same education, copy the original plan by clicking the 3-dot button and selecting Copy as a new plan. By copying the plan the applications as well as any decisions for approval made in the free edit mode are copied to the new plan.
Adding previously completed courses to your study plan
If you have any courses that you have previously completed elsewhere and that have since been registered at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, you may include these in your study plan via either the blue Add to the plan tab on the left side of the study plan window, or through the Free edit mode. The Add to the plan functionality lets you place your previously completed studies under any optional studies module that does not have a predefined structure. Should you wish to replace a course or a module that has been defined as a part of your degree programme structure with previously completed studies, you must do this through the Free edit mode by choosing Add a course you have already completed from the selection assistant. In the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ study modules that have been previously completed elsewhere are registered as courses, which is why study modules are added to existing structures through adding a previously completed course rather than a study module. Read more on adding completed courses here.
Applying for approval for a custom module
A study plan whose structure deviates from the degree programme structure must always be approved by the personal study plan counsellor. When you have edited the module or content of a subheading to a state in which you would like to complete it, you can submit an application for approval in the free edit mode by selecting Apply for approval in the selection assistant.
The deviating content of the module or subheading appears in the application screen. You must add grounds for the application before you can send it for approval. Then select Submit application. Your application is sent to your personal study plan counsellor. The counsellor(s) can always access the study plans of their students, and see any submitted applications for customised structures.
When the application has been sent, the Approval requested notification is visible next to the module or intermediate title in the plan. To show the content of the application, open the selection assistant next to the module or title and click Show.
What part of the plan does the application cover?
The application only covers the study module or subheading for which it has been made, and the courses, study modules or groupings directly within that module or subheading. This means that the application does not cover any modules or groupings below the one in question. In the example below, the application for approval covers the content of compulsory studies in the basic and intermediate studies in economics module. If a student in this programme wishes to suggest a custom structure for courses under other subheadings, they would need to make a separate application in the selection assistant of that grouping.
Cancelling an application
To cancel an application for a custom module, click Show in the selection assistant to open the application information and then select Withdraw the application. Alternatively you can cancel the application in the My Profile tab under Applications and decisions by clicking the application open and then clicking Cancel the application. The application will be lost completely and cannot be restored. If you wish to make an application with the same custom structure later on, you must start the process from scratch. If you withdraw the application, you must restore the changes you have made to the module until the plan complies with the original degree structure and the Selections against the rules notification is removed.
Approving an application
When your personal study plan counsellor has processed your application and a decision on the application has been made, you will get the decision message to the Sisu front page and your own message wall. Open the link in the message to view your plan. The messages are also saved in the guidance information of the Structure of studies tab in each study plan. In your study plan, you will see the application’s approval status next to the structure connected to the application. The status may be Selections approved, Selections conditionally approved or Selections against the rules if the suggested structure has not been approved. To open your application and the related assessment and grounds, click the Show button in the selection assistant.
Giving up an approval
If you wish, you can give up the approval of a custom structure. Open the selection assistant of the study module or grouping to which the application has been approved or conditionally approved. Click the Show button to open the application form. By selecting Give up the approval, you can give up the approval through a two-phase confirmation. After this, your application will be lost and cannot be restored. If you wish to be approved for custom content in your plan later on, you must go through the entire application process again.